US raises risk level for travel to 4 Arab nations in updated advisory

The US upgraded on Wednesday the travel risk for Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to Level 3, advising travelers to rethink visiting these nations.

This came in an updated travel advisory by the US State Department. Other countries classified at the same level of risk are Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel, and Qatar.

It left Egypt at level 2, calling on travelers to "exercise increased caution."

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Bahrain said it "suspended all routine consular services until further notice."

The mission called on the US citizens in Bahrain to leave immediately "if safe to do so."

The developments came as the US and Israel continue their attacks on Iran, which were launched on Saturday, killing nearly 800 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials.

In response, Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries that are home to US assets, disrupting some energy supply routes.